Vienna-Info

The
Vienna Opera House is situated in Vienna's first district at the Ring
Boulevard. It's history dates back to the mid-19th century, when it
was built by August von Sicardsburg and Eduard van der Nüll from 1861 to 1869. At
this time the Opera House was called the Vienna Court Opera. Since 1920 it's
named Vienna State Opera.

At the
end of World War II the Vienna State Opera suffered immense. After the end of
the war the façade was restored as well as the interior. The reopening of the
opera house was celebrated on the 5th of November 1955. Today, the
Vienna State Opera produces 50 to 60 operas per year and is considered to be
the number one Opera House of Central Europe.

Throughout
the years, many famous conductors worked at the Vienna Opera House, amongst
them Gustav Mahler, Richard Strauss and Herbert von Karajan. The Vienna Opera
House was also the workplace of many famous artists like Luciano Pavarotti,
Mara Callas, José Carreras and many others. Under the direction of Ioan
Holender the opera house became well-known for its children's productions.

The
members of the Vienna Philharmonic are recruited from the orchestra of the
Vienna State Opera. The Vienna Opera House is not only known for the Vienna
Philharmonic Orchestra, but also for the Opera Ball, which takes place annually
on the last Thursday in Fasching. On July 1, 1998, as Austria undertook its
first presidency of the European Union, Fidelio was broadcasted live from the
Vienna State Opera to the 15 capitals of the EU.

Immediately
before each performance unsold cheap standing place tickets can be bought.

The Hofburg
not only houses the Spanish Riding School with it's world famous Lipizzans and
several Habsburg-related museums, but also the National Library and the Museum
of Ethnography.

The
National Library is the former court library and an architectural masterpiece
of the Viennese baroque architect Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach and his
son Emanuel. It is the largest baroque library in Europe, was erected in the
first half of the eighteenth century as an independent wing of the Imperial
Palace. More than 200,000 volumes are exhibited here, among them the
comprehensive library of Prince Eugene of Savoy.

In addition
to this, the Imperial Palace houses the Museum of Ethnography, which is one of
the most significant ethnological museums in the world. The Museum of
Ethnography was established in 1876. Its collections comprise nearly a quarter
million ethnographical and archaeological objects, amongst them collections
from Oceania and North America gathered by James Cook during his travels at the
end of the 18th century. In
addition to this, it houses a group of Mexican featherwork and other rare
objects from the Americas, Africa and Indonesia, which in 1596 formed the
collection of Archduke Ferdinand of Tyrol at Ambras Castle. The museum's most
famous piece is a feathered headdress believed to have belonged to Moctezuma,
the last Aztec emperor. This museum is also known for its Brazilian collection
assembled in 1817 - 36 by Johann Natterer, as well as its outstanding
collection of bronzes from the west African kingdom of Benin.

The Hofburg
area has been the documented seat of government since 1279 for various empires
and republics. The Imperial Palace, which until 1918 was inhabited by the
imperial family, was originally a castle built in the thirteenth century, which
was extended to a splendid residence in accordance with the increasing power of
the Habsburgs and the expansion of their realm.

In the
oldest part of the Imperial Palace (13th century) treasures from the
possessions of the Habsburgs are shown. You can not only see the Emperor's Crown
of the Holy Roman Empire (circa 962) and the Austrian Emperor's Crown (1602),
but also the Burgundian Treasure from the fifteenth century and the Treasure of
the Order of the Golden Fleece.

The Chapel
of the Imperial Palace also forms part of the oldest parts of the Hofburg. The
Vienna's Boy Choir and members of the orchestra and choir of the Vienna State
Opera are known as Court Music Orchestra and, as such, perform High Mass in the
Chapel of the Imperial Palace on Sundays and religious holidays.

The Spanish
Riding School is situated as well at the Hofburg. The School takes the "Spanish" part of its
name from the horses which originated from the Iberian Peninsula during the
16th century and which were considered especially noble. It takes the Lipizzans
several years of trainingship until they reach the perfections of the "high
School of Classical Horsemanship". You experience the Lipizzans doing there
astonishing performances at several occasions, as at a performance or the
morning exercises.

Hofburg
Palace is situated in Vienna's first district. Hofburg Palace was originally a
medieval castle. The Hofburg was extended to a magnificent residence when the
Habsburg's power increased. That's why today, it consist of almost any
architectural style, from gothic to art nouveau.

Hofburg
Palace housed some of the most powerful people in Austrian history, including
the Habsburg dynasty, rulers of the Austro-Hungarian empire. Hofburg Palace was
the Habsburg's official principal winter residence, as the Schönbrunn Palace
was their preferred summer residence. Hofburg Palace currently houses the office
of the President of Austria as well as an important congress center and
numerous art collections.

The Hofburg
is a must for anybody wanting to explore the world of the Habsburgs. Emperor
Franz Joseph and his Elisabeth lived here with their children and the entire
royal household. Today, the former private apartments of the imperial family in
the Imperial Palace are open to the public. The Sisi Museum offers you
fascinating insights into the official and private worlds of Empress Elisabeth.

The
Imperial Silver Collection exhibits Habsburg's dining service and silverware. Among
other things, one can admire the famous "Milan Centerpiece," which is
almost 30 meters long.